It is central and provides an oasis of calm and peace amidst the hustle and bustle of a busy international city.
Originally the land was a marshy meadowland.
In the 13th century a hospital called St James was built for lepers. In 1532 Henry VIII purchased the land from Eton College and used it as a deer park. Then in 1603 James I ordered that the park be drained and landscaped where it then became home to exotic wildlife such as camels, crocodiles, an elephant and exotic birds.
Charles II opened the park to the public so he could entertain his friends and mistresses. The park then became notorious as a place for nefarious and lecherous activities. It was the butt of many cartoons and satirical pieces. (Pun intended.) To the best of my knowledge, it no longer has that reputation.
In the 1820's the Prince Regent had it redesigned again and made into a "romantic park".
The 90 acre park is surrounded by 3 palaces: St James's Palace, Westminster Palace (the Houses of Parliament), and, the most famous, Buckingham Palace, where Queen Elizabeth resides when she is in London.
In the middle of the park there is a large lake that is a wildlife sanctuary for ducks, geese and 6 pelicans.
The pelicans roam the park freely. They were first introduced to the park in 1664 as a gift to King Charles II from the Russian Ambassador. Between 2:30 and 3pm everyday, the pelicans are fed.
Recently one of the pelicans was found injured and the park manager told us he had to drive the pelican to the London Zoo to see the zoo's vet. I am sure that turned a few heads enroute.
I am sure the park will undergo more changes in the future, but in the here and now, it is a beautiful peaceful park to take a break from the hustle and bustle of London life.
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